Proposed floating island with pyramids connects the High Line to the Hudson River

If you wished the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/high-line" target="_blank">High Line</a> had waterfront access, take a gander at this eye-catching proposal to extend the linear park into the Hudson River with a floating island. Architect <a href="http://www.eytankaufman.com/" target="_blank">Eytan Kaufman</a> recently unveiled <a href="http://www.highcircle.net/" target="_blank">Hub on the Hudson</a>, a conceptual project that connects the High Line to the river with a pedestrian bridge and a 9-acre circular pier.

Set on high-capacity caissons anchored into bedrock, the Hub on the Hudson opens the High Line and neighboring developments up to the river.

A steel and concrete bridge would extend the elevated park to a raised circular promenade that encircles the floating island.

The 9-acre park comprises gardens and five pyramidal buildings constructed from steel and reflective glass.

The center of the hub will be used for an art center and gathering space, while a marina built of pile-supported flared wood is placed at the far west side of the island.

Kaufman writes that the proposal was designed “in compliance with the nature and spirit of the High Line,” however it’s difficult to see how the floating island relates to James Corner’s successful adaptive reuse project.

Unlike the High Line, the Hub on the Hudson would be built from scratch, not from existing infrastructure.

View from the inside of a superstructure.

Elevation view.

Section view

Site plan

Site plan